Hello. My name is Jacob. I am 20 years old. I am in my 2nd year of vocational training. I work on teaching pre-schoolers numbers and letters, supporting the class-room teacher and collect data to track my performance. I also have taken classes such as beginning Spanish, Sign Language, Learning Strategies, Current Events, Workplace Skills, Real World Math and Intro to Broad-casting in my continuing education program. While in High School to prepare for my future goals as a Pre-School Aide I took both Child Development 1 and Child Development 2. My favorite classes were Current Events and Government. I was a member of the Marching and Concert Band for 4 years, the JV Bowling Team for 4 years and was voted Homecoming King by my peers my senior year. For the past three summers I worked as an intern in a speech and language pre-school. I enjoyed setting up for class, working with the children, and cleaning up at the end of the day.
Outside of vocational training, I am a competitive swimmer, soccer player, bowler and power lifter for the Special Olympics and have 13 State Gold Medals. I enjoy acting in community play productions, meeting with my book club and play recreational baseball, soccer and basketball.
I am also a self-advocate. I want to advocate to help my community. I have traveled to Washington DC to bring awareness to the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE ) Act. This was important to me, because I am able and willing to work, live a productive life and contribute to my community. The ABLE Act will allow me to earn and save for my future just like every other American, without being afraid of losing my disability support services and benefits. I want to work hard, get a paycheck and save for a house with a backyard for my dog. My Enable account will help me save. I want to live a happy life as an independent man.
.png)